A five-sided sign shaped like the outline of a house warns you of:

A school zone or school crossing

Diamond-shaped orange signs on the road ahead tell you that:

There is road work or a construction zone ahead

Gas, food and lodging are available

You approach an intersection where the traffic light is flashing red. You must:

Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign

Slow down and go through with caution

Wait, because the light is about to turn green

Stop only if cross traffic is present

On a two-lane road, the center line has a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other side. This means:

You may not pass, but drivers on the other side may

You may pass when the road is clear

A center lane is marked with a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side, and white arrows curving left in both directions. This lane is used for:

Left turns by traffic from both directions

You are pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street. Who has the right-of-way?

Vehicles on the street and pedestrians on the sidewalk

You, because you were waiting first

On a two-lane road without a median, a school bus stopped ahead of you in the opposite lane has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must:

Stop and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is folded

Slow down to 15 mph and pass carefully

Stop only if you are behind the bus

An ambulance with its siren and lights on comes up behind you. What should you do?

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

Stop immediately in your lane, even in an intersection

The posted speed limit is 55 mph, but it is raining hard and visibility is poor. Under the basic speed law, you should:

Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions, even if it is well below 55 mph

Drive at 55 mph, since that is the legal limit

Drive exactly 5 mph below the limit

Match the speed of the fastest traffic

In good weather on a dry road, how much following distance should you keep behind the vehicle ahead?

One car length, whatever your speed

As little as needed to keep other cars from cutting in

You are leaving a freeway at an exit. Where should you begin to slow down?

In the exit (deceleration) lane, after you have left the main lanes

On the freeway, well before the exit lane begins

On the shoulder, after stopping to read the signs

Only once you reach the end of the ramp

On average, how long does the body take to get rid of the alcohol in one standard drink?

It depends only on how much water you drink

Which of these can make it illegal for you to drive?

A prescription medicine that makes you drowsy

An over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine that impairs you

Alcohol is best described as a:

Depressant that slows down the brain and body

Stimulant that speeds up your reaction time

Substance that only affects you at night

Substance with no effect below 0.08% BAC

You park facing downhill on a street with a curb. Which way should your front wheels point?

It does not matter if the car is in gear

In most states, you must use your headlights:

From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is poor

Your car begins to skid on an icy road. What should you do?

Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

Steer hard in the opposite direction

When you drive, which documents does your state usually require you to have with you?

Your license or permit, the vehicle registration and proof of insurance

To use your driver's license to board a domestic flight, it must be:

REAL ID-compliant; otherwise you must show another accepted ID, such as a passport

Issued by the state you are flying from

DMV Permit Test Questions: 20 Real-Style Questions With Answers

The DMV permit test is a multiple-choice exam on road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way, speed, alcohol and drugs, safe driving and licensing rules, drawn from your state's driver handbook. The number of questions depends on the state (46 in California for applicants under 18, 20 in New York, 50 in Florida), and most states ask for 70% to 80% correct. Start with the 20 mixed questions below, then drill each topic.

Updated on 2026-11-06 · Ver en español

DMVPermitUSA is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by any state DMV, BMV, MVD, DPS or other government agency. Always check your state's official driver handbook and DMV website for current requirements.

Start a free practice test · Take a full mock exam

A five-sided sign shaped like the outline of a house warns you of: A. A railroad crossing / B. A no-passing zone / C. A hospital ahead / D. A school zone or school crossing. Answer: D. A school zone or school crossing. The pentagon shape is reserved for school signs: SCHOOL zone and school crossing warnings, in fluorescent yellow-green or yellow. Slow down and watch for children.
Diamond-shaped orange signs on the road ahead tell you that: A. There is road work or a construction zone ahead / B. You are entering a scenic area / C. Gas, food and lodging are available / D. A school bus stop is ahead. Answer: A. There is road work or a construction zone ahead. Orange is the color of temporary traffic control in work zones. Slow down, follow the flaggers and signs, and expect workers and equipment; many states double fines in work zones.
A round yellow sign with a large X and the letters RR means: A. A rest area is ahead / B. A railroad crossing is ahead / C. The road is closed / D. Right turns only. Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead. The round railroad advance warning sign is placed before a highway-rail crossing. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and be ready to stop; at the crossing itself you will see the white crossbuck.
You approach an intersection where the traffic light is flashing red. You must: A. Slow down and go through with caution / B. Wait, because the light is about to turn green / C. Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign / D. Stop only if cross traffic is present. Answer: C. Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign. A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign: stop completely, yield, then proceed when the way is clear. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
On a two-lane road, the center line has a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other side. This means: A. You may pass when the road is clear / B. You may not pass, but drivers on the other side may / C. Your lane is for buses only / D. You are on a one-way street. Answer: B. You may not pass, but drivers on the other side may. Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side means no passing for you; a broken line on the other side allows those drivers to pass when it is safe.
A center lane is marked with a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side, and white arrows curving left in both directions. This lane is used for: A. Passing in either direction / B. Emergency vehicles only / C. Parking during off-peak hours / D. Left turns by traffic from both directions. Answer: D. Left turns by traffic from both directions. This is a two-way left-turn lane. Enter it only to slow down and turn left, from either direction; never use it to pass or to travel for long distances. Limits on how far you may drive in it vary by state.
You are pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street. Who has the right-of-way? A. Vehicles on the street and pedestrians on the sidewalk / B. You, because you were waiting first / C. Whichever vehicle is larger / D. You, if your turn signal is on. Answer: A. Vehicles on the street and pedestrians on the sidewalk. A driver entering a public road from a driveway, alley, parking lot or private road must yield to all traffic on the road and to pedestrians crossing the sidewalk. Stop before the sidewalk and look both ways.
On a two-lane road without a median, a school bus stopped ahead of you in the opposite lane has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must: A. Slow down to 15 mph and pass carefully / B. Stop only if you are behind the bus / C. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is folded / D. Sound your horn and continue. Answer: C. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is folded. On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights. On a divided highway, oncoming traffic often does not have to stop, but the rule varies by state.
An ambulance with its siren and lights on comes up behind you. What should you do? A. Speed up to stay ahead of it / B. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes / C. Stop immediately in your lane, even in an intersection / D. Move into the left lane. Answer: B. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. Yield to emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing lights by pulling to the right edge of the road and stopping, out of intersections. Wait until it has passed before you pull back into traffic.
The posted speed limit is 55 mph, but it is raining hard and visibility is poor. Under the basic speed law, you should: A. Drive at 55 mph, since that is the legal limit / B. Drive exactly 5 mph below the limit / C. Match the speed of the fastest traffic / D. Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions, even if it is well below 55 mph. Answer: D. Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions, even if it is well below 55 mph. The basic speed law found in every state says you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. You can be ticketed for speeding below the posted limit in rain, fog, traffic or construction.
In good weather on a dry road, how much following distance should you keep behind the vehicle ahead? A. At least 3 seconds / B. 1 second / C. One car length, whatever your speed / D. As little as needed to keep other cars from cutting in. Answer: A. At least 3 seconds. Pick a fixed object the vehicle ahead passes and count: you should need at least 3 seconds to reach it. Increase the gap in bad weather, at night, behind large trucks and motorcycles, and when you are being tailgated.
You are leaving a freeway at an exit. Where should you begin to slow down? A. On the freeway, well before the exit lane begins / B. On the shoulder, after stopping to read the signs / C. In the exit (deceleration) lane, after you have left the main lanes / D. Only once you reach the end of the ramp. Answer: C. In the exit (deceleration) lane, after you have left the main lanes. Keep up with freeway traffic until you are in the deceleration lane, then slow to the posted ramp speed. If you miss your exit, never stop or back up: continue to the next exit.
On average, how long does the body take to get rid of the alcohol in one standard drink? A. About 15 minutes / B. About one hour / C. About five hours / D. It depends only on how much water you drink. Answer: B. About one hour. The liver processes roughly one standard drink per hour, and nothing speeds it up. Several drinks can keep your BAC above zero, or above the legal limit, for many hours, even the next morning.
Which of these can make it illegal for you to drive? A. Illegal drugs / B. A prescription medicine that makes you drowsy / C. An over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine that impairs you / D. All of the above. Answer: D. All of the above. Every state's DUI law covers any substance that impairs your ability to drive, not only alcohol and illegal drugs. Read medicine labels and ask a pharmacist before driving.
Alcohol is best described as a: A. Depressant that slows down the brain and body / B. Stimulant that speeds up your reaction time / C. Substance that only affects you at night / D. Substance with no effect below 0.08% BAC. Answer: A. Depressant that slows down the brain and body. Alcohol is a depressant. It slows reaction time, weakens judgment and coordination, and blurs vision, starting with the first drink and well below the 0.08% legal limit.
You park facing downhill on a street with a curb. Which way should your front wheels point? A. Away from the curb / B. Straight ahead / C. Toward the curb / D. It does not matter if the car is in gear. Answer: C. Toward the curb. Facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb so that, if the car rolls, the curb stops it. Set the parking brake and leave the car in park or in gear.
In most states, you must use your headlights: A. Only after midnight / B. From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is poor / C. Only on highways / D. Only when it is raining. Answer: B. From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is poor. Most states require headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise and whenever you cannot see clearly for about 1,000 feet. Many also require them whenever your wipers are on; the details vary by state.
Your car begins to skid on an icy road. What should you do? A. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go / B. Slam on the brakes / C. Steer hard in the opposite direction / D. Accelerate to regain traction. Answer: A. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. In a skid, take your foot off the gas, avoid hard braking and steer smoothly where you want to go. With anti-lock brakes, press firmly and steadily if you need to brake; do not pump them.
When you drive, which documents does your state usually require you to have with you? A. Only your birth certificate / B. Your Social Security card / C. Your vehicle title / D. Your license or permit, the vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Answer: D. Your license or permit, the vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Carry your license or permit at all times when driving, and keep the registration and proof of insurance in the vehicle. Many states accept electronic proof of insurance on your phone.
To use your driver's license to board a domestic flight, it must be: A. Less than 10 years old / B. Issued by the state you are flying from / C. REAL ID-compliant; otherwise you must show another accepted ID, such as a passport / D. Laminated by the airport. Answer: C. REAL ID-compliant; otherwise you must show another accepted ID, such as a passport. Since REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025, airport security accepts only REAL ID-compliant licenses, marked with a star, or other accepted documents such as a U.S. passport.

Permit test questions by topic

Road Sign Questions for the DMV Permit Test, With Answers — 15 road sign questions like the real DMV permit test, with answers and explanations: shapes, colors, warning, regulatory and guide signs under the MUTCD.
Traffic Signal and Pavement Marking Questions, With Answers — 15 permit test questions on traffic lights, arrows and pavement markings, with answers: flashing red and yellow, yellow and white lines and turn lanes.
Right-of-Way Questions for the Permit Test, Explained — 15 right-of-way questions like the DMV permit test, with answers: 4-way stops, left turns, roundabouts, pedestrians, school buses and emergency vehicles.
Speed Limit and Following Distance Questions, With Answers — 15 permit test questions on speed limits and following distance, with answers: the basic speed law, the 3-second rule, school zones, stopping distance and more.
Alcohol and Drug Questions on the DMV Permit Test, With Answers — 15 free DMV permit test questions on alcohol and drugs: BAC limits, zero tolerance, implied consent, medicines and DUI penalties, each answer explained.
Safe Driving Questions for the Permit Test, Answered and Explained — 15 free safe driving questions for the DMV permit test: parking, passing, trucks, bikes, night driving, bad weather, emergencies and phones, with answers.
Licensing, GDL and Driver Responsibility Questions, With Answers — 15 free DMV permit test questions on licensing: learner's permit, GDL stages, REAL ID, insurance, points, implied consent and what to do after a crash.

How the DMV permit test is built

The permit test, also called the written or knowledge test, is a multiple-choice exam based on your state's driver handbook. Each question has three or four answer choices, and most states draw your questions at random from a much larger bank, so two applicants sitting side by side get different tests. Some states give it on paper, most on a touch screen at the DMV office, and a growing number, including California and New York, let eligible applicants take it online at home.

The questions follow the same broad plan everywhere. A large share covers road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings, which follow the federal MUTCD and look alike in every state. Another large share covers rules of the road: right-of-way, speed limits, following distance, turns, passing and parking. The rest covers safe driving (sharing the road, night, weather, emergencies, distractions), alcohol and drugs, and licensing rules such as GDL restrictions, insurance and what to do after a crash.

A few states split the test into sections that you must pass separately. New York, for example, includes four road-sign questions and requires you to answer at least two of them correctly on top of the overall passing score. You usually take a vision test at the same visit, and applicants under 18 often need a parent's signature and proof of school enrollment or driver's education.

The 10 most-missed permit test questions, explained

Certain questions catch test-takers again and again, usually because the wrong answer sounds like common sense. Learn the rule behind each of these and you remove most of the traps on the real test:

The basic speed law. The posted limit is a maximum, not a target. In rain, fog or heavy traffic, the legal speed is the safe speed, which can be well below the sign.
Following distance. The answer is a time, not a length: at least 3 seconds in good conditions, and more in bad weather or behind a truck or motorcycle.
Flashing red versus flashing yellow. Flashing red means stop, then go (like a STOP sign). Flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution.
Left turns on a solid green light. A green circle allows the turn but does not protect it: you still yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Only a green arrow is protected.
School buses. On an undivided road, both directions stop for flashing red lights. On a divided highway, oncoming traffic often does not stop, but check your state's rule.
BAC limits. 0.08% for drivers 21 and older (0.05% in Utah), 0.04% in a commercial vehicle, and zero tolerance under 21. Below the limit you can still be charged if you are impaired.
Sobering up. Only time lowers your BAC. Coffee, cold showers and exercise do not.
Parking on a hill. Downhill, wheels toward the curb; uphill with a curb, wheels away from it; with no curb, wheels toward the edge of the road.
Dimming high beams. Most states require low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
Pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks. Almost every intersection has a crosswalk even without painted lines, and drivers must yield to pedestrians in it.

Watch for questions that use the words NOT or EXCEPT. They ask you to find the one wrong statement, and they are among the easiest to miss when you read too fast.

How many questions are on the permit test in each state?

There is no national permit test, so the length and passing score depend on where you apply. Most states ask between 20 and 50 questions and set the passing score between 70% and 80%, with a few higher. Each state page lists the number of questions, the passing score, the permit age and the retake rules, verified against the official DMV: start with California, Texas, New York or Illinois, or see every state.

Check your state before test day: states sometimes adjust the number of questions or move tests online, so always confirm with your state DMV or its current driver handbook. Three common examples:

Permit test length in three large states (confirm with your DMV before your test)
State	Questions	To pass
California	46 (applicants under 18)	38 correct, about 83%
New York	20	14 correct (70%), including 2 of the 4 road-sign questions
Florida	50 (Class E knowledge exam)	40 correct (80%)

How to use the question banks

Right after the 20 mixed questions at the top of this page you will find seven question banks, one per topic, each with 15 original questions written to the same rules as the real test and with every answer explained. They are not copies of any state's official questions, which are confidential, but they test the same rules in the same style.

Work through them in three passes. First, take the 20 mixed questions on this page without looking at the answers, and note which topics you miss. Second, open the bank for each weak topic, such as right-of-way or road signs, and read every explanation, including for the questions you got right; the explanation is where the rule lives. Third, go back to your state handbook for the rules marked “varies by state,” because the real test always uses your state's version.

When you score well on every topic, switch to timed practice. Our practice tests by topic mix hundreds of questions, and the full mock exams copy the length and passing score of a real test, so you can see whether you are ready.

Tips for test day

Read the whole question and every option before answering. Two options are often close, and the difference is a single word such as “always,” “never” or “except.”
Eliminate the clearly wrong answers first. Answers that are rude, risky or illegal (speeding up, honking, insisting on the right-of-way) are almost never correct.
Choose the safest legal option when you are unsure. The test is written to reward cautious, defensive driving.
Know your numbers: 3 seconds, 0.08%, 500 and 300 feet, 15 feet from a hydrant, and your state's GDL hours and ages.
Bring the right documents. Most DMVs will not let you test without proof of identity, Social Security number and residency; see our documents checklist.
Do not rush. Most permit tests are not tightly timed. If you fail, you can usually retake it after a waiting period that varies by state; read our guide to passing the permit test for a full study plan.

DMV permit test questions: FAQ

How many questions are on the DMV permit test?

It depends on the state: most tests have 20 to 50 questions. For example, California gives 46 questions to applicants under 18, New York 20 and Florida 50. Your state page lists the exact number and passing score.

Are these the same questions as on the real DMV test?

No. Official test questions are confidential and change over time. Our questions are original, written from the federal MUTCD and state handbooks to test the same rules in the same multiple-choice style, so if you can answer them and understand why, you are ready for the real ones.

What score do I need to pass the permit test?

Most states require 70% to 80% correct; California asks for about 83% on the under-18 test. Some states also require a minimum score on a separate road-sign section, as New York does.

Can I take the permit test online?

In some states, yes. California and New York, for example, offer an online knowledge test at home for eligible applicants, with identity checks and webcam monitoring. Many other states require you to test at a DMV office, so check your state's rules.

Can I take the permit test in Spanish?

Many states offer the knowledge test in Spanish and other languages, including California, Texas, Florida and New York. Road sign questions use the same English signs, so learn what each sign says. Check which languages your state offers.

What happens if I fail the permit test?

You can retake it, but the waiting period, the fee and the number of attempts vary by state. California, for example, allows three attempts per application. Use the wait to study the topics you missed.

What is the hardest part of the permit test?

Most people find right-of-way scenarios, numbers such as distances and BAC limits, and rules that vary by state the hardest. Practicing each topic with explained answers is the fastest way to fix those gaps.